DX in May '98 after finding lump while showering.
Lumpectomy July '98 followed by radiation (ER+/PR+, node negative, unknown Her2).

DX in May '05 after finding another lump in same area -- mastectomy revealed 4 tumors (ER+/PR+, HER2+), node negative.
4 X Taxol
1-year Herceptin
Hysterectomy with oopherectomy (November '05)
Arimedex

8-years and counting!

Dx 11/05, Age 42
ER-/PR-, HER2+++
3 months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin
Significant tumor shrinkage
Mastectomy 3/05
Stage 3b, 9 cm tumor, 5/8+ nodes
3 more months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin
30 radiation treatments, IMRT planning approach started 7/05
Started 1 year of Herceptin 9/05

dx'd 4/1/04 at age 43

lumpectomy 1.4 cm, 1/14 nodes positive, her 2+++, er/pr-
started chemo 5/22/04 - 4 AC, followed by 4 taxotere with weekly herceptin and then herceptin every 3 weeks until August 05.
35 rads.

So far so good...I pressed onc for herceptin based purely by what I was seeing on this website which was nearly 5 months before ASCO results came out. Thank you all.

Routine mammogram May 4/05 after "clean" manual check-up w/pcp -- detected "suspicious mass" - calcifications.
Core biopsy done June - confirmed bc June 15/05
Lumpetctomy & SNB - late June '05 - tumour 2 cms., 1 node of 7 affected
Axillary Dissection July '05 - no futher node involvement (27 nodes taken in total)
Started chemo late August '05 - 4 AC/ 4 Taxol - completed end of January '06
30 rads - finished early April '06
Started 1 year of herceptin (every 3 weeks) end of April '06

See surgeon May 31st for follow up and will have 1st mammogram since surgery scheduled.

Hangin in there and ready to keep on fighting!

Found lump myself, on December 1, 2005, it was 1.5cm. I was 2 months late for my yearly mammogram. Lumpectomy on Dec 22. Was diagnosed Stage IV with 13+ positive lymph nodes and 2 small mets to my lungs. There was a chance that I also had 2 small liver mets but they have never lit up postive on the PET scans that I have taken, so they are presumed non cancerous..cannot biopsy because of location. Was on Taxototere, Xeloda and Herceptin. Was given the news that I was NED on April 7. Will be on Herceptin indefinately, doing scans every 3 to 6 months and keeping a watch on the liver spots. Have a 7 year old daughter and 17 year old son..I am 44. sherryg683

I was diagnosed 11/4/04, Stage I tumor was 1.6 cm. I'm Her2+++ ER/PR-
I had lumpectomy, 4 rounds of Epirudicin and Cytoxan, 36 rads and have been on herceptin since July. Berta

Feb 1998 - Stage 0, DCIS had radiation age 39.

May 2005 - Stage 4, 1.7 mm tumor on left breast with 0 involvement of lymph nodes. CT and PET confirmed one 3.4 mm spot liver mets. Had modified radical mastectomy on left breast.
8 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin once every 3 weeks and finished chemo in December 2005. Liver mets decreased to 1.2 mm. Had chemo break since.
Now on Herceptin weekly.

CT scan last week still showed the same size on liver mets. A soft tissue however came up in the chest area came up on the CT scan and my onc is checking more into it and scheduling a PET scan.

Helen

Diagnosed October 25, 2005. 2.5cm tumor with 3cm invasiveness in right breast. Had core needle biopsy December 2005 and biopsy of axillary nodes. Stage III, high nuclear grade tumor (3 of 3), ER/PR-, HER2+++ by FISH. Had bone scan, MRI, CAT Scan. Began neoadjunct chemo December 2005 and finished May 2006 (4 rounds A/C and 4 rounds Taxatore). Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006 and had 14 positive nodes out of 26. Begin 1 year of Herceptin only every 3 weeks June 21, 2006 and start radiation on July 5, 2006.

Stage 2 , Er+,Pr+,Her2 +++, Age 40. Diagnosed in May'2005. Took ACT and radiation.

Info
 

Self discovery of a fluid cyst. ...mammy done 4/04....ultrasound found 2 other areas of concern. Biopsy needle core..of those areas
Dx..5/16/04 ( strange how we remember that date) age 59
invasive lobular...stage IIa, HER2+++, ER/PR pos,
Bilat mastectomy, SNB 1 pos, 6/04
A/C dense dose x 4, Taxotere.....16 weeks..chemo done 12/04
Rads....35....done 3/05
Arimidex ....since Jan. 05
Herceptin...1 year post chemo...started 2/06 to continue every 3 weeks for one 1 year( BC/BS finally approved )
Doing great and learn so much from the wonderful Warriors here !!!
Hugs, Bonnie

I was diagnosed in February 2004.
Found two underarm nodes myself. Never found primary tumour but had 4/11+ axiliary nodes plus at least two more in chest wall.
Surgical removal of underarm nodes end FEB 2004. HER2 100% ER-/PR-
Taxotere 3 weekly and Herceptin weekly from March to July 2004.
30 rounds of Rads to breast and chest wall Sept/Oct 2004.
Back on Herceptin 3 weekly from October 2004 and have continued since.

Not sure what my stage is but probably III. As I understand it, stage IV is when you have another organ affected.
Currently NED.

I have posted here a few times a while back but have been taking a head in the sand approach more recently.

Haven't posted in a while....here it goes...
Dx 6/03; 36 years old, nursing 9 month old daughter; IDC in right breast; dose dense A/C; mastectomy 8/03; 10+/16 nodes; 2cm tumor; ER/PR -; HER2 +; TH 12 weeks; 30 rads; 40 weeks herceptin finished 11/04. No trial just very forward thinking Onc. with pressure from me for herceptin.
Began reconstruction 11/05; expander placed; exchange done 3/06 with nipple reconstruction at same time; left breast augmentation to balance new breast. Extremely happy with results!

Hitting 40th birthday this year still NED and loving life! ~ Ruth

Kathy

Diagnosed 2001-2002 Stage IV
Left Breast 3cm
Nodes Positive
Metastisis to Bones (mostly spine, pelvis)
ER/PR +
Her2+
Left Masectomy and recontruction
6 mos ACT
Almost 4 years on Aridia and Arimidex - NED!!!
Stopped working so well in early 2005( New liver mets as well as lungs)
Tried some stupid trial in 2005
Started Nov 2005 ( Taxol, Herceptin and carboplatin) - 6 mos
Most lesions in liver and lungs went away or reduced to almost unmeasurable as they describe it.
Last scans a month ago show NED!!!! All stable.

Was dx. 4/09/03 (age 50) Stage 2A,
3cm tumor
(0/19 node neg.) er postive, pr positive
grade 3
mastectomy and A/C x 4

Aromasin after Tamoxifen for 2 years
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...er_offline.gif

Found lump myself. Starting 2 years herceptin 6/22/06.

At 39 years old, I found a lump in my left breast. DX IDC on Feb 1, 2005, Stage I, Neg Node, Grade 3, ER/PR -, HER2/neu+++.
4 rounds A/C every 3 weeks, 4 rounds of Taxol every 3 weeks plus weekly herceptin. I was scheduled to begin radiation when I found another lump in same breast. Had bone scan and chest x-ray....multiple lung nodules, which put me at a stage IV. Began xeloda plus herceptin in August of 2005. Disease progressed....started Navilbine plus herceptin in December of 2005. I discovered lump in left armpit. Took break from chemo for 3 months. Disease progressed....switched Oncs....May 2006 had 10 radiaton sessions to middle upper chest to help alliviate symptoms. Began Avastin in June 2006........Waiting for EAP program to be set up with my Onc for Lapatinib.

Amy

P.S. Plus tons of PRAYERS!!!!

Bringing this forward...

Dx 12/1/04 age 52 ) Radical Mastectomy ( 2/1/05 ) Reconstruction 8/18/05
Stage IIIA ( 8.5 x 6 cm ) Richardson score 9 of 9
8 of 38 Positive Nodes
ER/PR -
HER/NEU 3 +++
Finished 6 rounds EC and 4 rounds Taxol + Hercetin ( 7/6/05 )
Finished 1 year Herceptin 5/26/06
Finished 30 rads 10/25/05

My history:

03/2003- breast biospy. diagnosis breast cancer. Sent to onc & labs done, port in, scans done-ready to start chemo on3/28. Found out I was Her2+++, Stage 4. Mass in breast 8cm x 10cm, lymph nodes positive in chest & under left arm. 6 masses noted in liver.
3/28-7/16/2003- On Epirubicin & Taxatere
8/03-4/04- Herceptin only
4/04-8/04- Gemzar & Herceptin
8/04-1/06- scans every 3 mos, but clear! Herceptin only
2/06-found (L) side lymph enlargement & hot on pet, along with ? nodes in back of neck
2/28-first dose of Gemzar & herceptin
3/3-had to skip dose because found out needed new port because old one had a bend.
3/7-went in hospital for a quickie new port, and found blood clots-ended up in ICU for a day on ATP and an angioplasty, along with new port
3/10-resumed gemzar & herceptin. Was suppose to do 3 weeks on & 1 week off, but took me twice as long due to low blood counts. Did a week on & a week off.
6/06-Taken off gemzar, sluggish bonemarrow, and was sick of it anyway
7/20-PET,CT, & MRI-found lymph node enlargements on CT, which were hot on PET. Also 2 Nodes in back of my neck hot on PET...but I do have a brain!
7/26-started Navalbine, and will resume herceptin on the 8th of Aug
Have a MUGGA on the 28th

....But after all of this, I'm still here...

here is my story, short version!

Currently NED, per scans 5/05-6/05.

Hi, my name is Mindy. Thanks for sharing, everyone.

Felt pea-sized mass in right breast 10/05
Diagnosed 12/26/05 (age 37).
Lumpectomy 1/4/06 - 1.1cm IDC, 3/19 nodes + (sentinel node was negative)
Stage IIb
Er/Pr + Her2 +
Started chemo on 1/26/06: Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin every 3 weeks x6
Herceptin to continue until 1/07
Radiation (33rd on 8/2)
Choosing Lupron & Aromasin after radiation. If all goes well I will eventually get my ovaries removed.

Great Idea!
May 06 - found mass by mammogram "so small the biopsy would remove it"
May 06 - ultrasound core biopsy shows invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS - small 11.2mm
June 21, 2006 - lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy - then removal of 10 more nodes - breast tumor 2.4cm, 1 node positive 2.1cm
June 2006 dx - ER 99% PR 10% Her2 3+ S phase 3, high stage IIb, grade 2
July 28, 2006 start Adriamycin/Cytotoxan dose dense every 2 weeks for 8, then Taxol every 2 weeks for 8 - 1/2 way throught start Herceptin 1 a week for a year - during that receive Rads and hormone inhibitor therapy
diagnosed at age 54

I am new to the website and all I can say is that each and every one of you is an inspiration to me. I enjoy reading everyone's treatments, etc...here is mine:

DX~10/05 ER+/PR- HER2+ (age 30)

Bi-lateral mastectomey~11/14/05
left side~6.3 cm 7/16 node + (stage 3A)
right side~DCIS 0/8 node + (stage 0)

Clear PET~11/28/05

AC every 3 weeks for 12 weeks~12/16/05
Taxol/Herceptin every week for 12 weeks~3/10/06
Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year~5/28/06

Rads~23/27 completed

Dec. 05~found out that I carry the BRCA2 mutation

Lori
Shelby Twp, MI

My information is in my signature.

StoneMSU:
HI Lori. This is Carol>Your treatment buddy (for a few times, anyway).
Hope you're doing ok with rads. Did fine as long as I used the aquaphor.
All dryness & redness gone within 2-3 weeks after last rad. Doing ok with the Herceptin-only treatments.
Just want to say: glad you joined the website. These ladies are great and full of info! Sorry ladies for posting something outside of topic, but I HAD to say hi to Lori (and her Mom)!
Carol / Macomb Twp

Diagnosed - November, 2003 @ age 58
Diagnosed with IBC [Inflammatory Breast Cancer], stage 3b
Treatment was TAC for 4 months, followed by double mastectomy [MRM on affected breast and prophallactic simple on the other side]. Had 35 days of radiation to finish upthe summer of "04.
Currently on the last 4 months of one year's Herceptin cycle.
Have had excellent results with each and every stage of treatment, and am planning to beat the odds, currently NED and holding!!!

Hi Sadie
Haven't visited website recently but your post caught my attention as your diagnosis is similar to my own. Stage 1, lymph neg, 1.4 c., IDC, ER/PR neg, HER 3+++.

I completed 27 rads mid-June with no fatigue and very little skin reaction (used aloe vera gel). I did not choose chemo, but started one year Herceptin (every 3 weeks).
Have had six treatments.

I still know zero about the effectiveness of Herceptin without chemo. Have you found out anything? I've only been told about Herceptin with chemo. I would like to think that it is going to work on its own. Any questions I should ask my onc?

Incidentally, the Herceptin gives me no ill effects. How about you? Take care. Mimima

Dx
 

I was diagnosed Invasive DCIS end of Mar 05. Lump found while showering. Had been on estrogen replacement therapy for 2 years prior.

Left Mastectomy Apr 05 with sentinal node biopsy which was positive. Expander inserted. 3 cm tumor - Dx Stage IIb. Her2+ and ER+.

9 lymph nodes removed May 05.

Rejection of expander caused another surgery in Jun 05. Incision would not heal and was infected. Expander removed.

Jul 05 Partial Thyroidectomy - no malignancy of nodules.

Began A/C chemo Jul 05 12 weeks.

Began Taxol and Herceptin Oct 05 for 8 weeks.

Jan 06 Right breast removal - no node involvement.

Jan 06 - Continuing Herceptin until Oct 06. Started Arimidex.

Hi Mimima
Glad to hear you're doing good on Herceptin. I'm like you. Curious to see how others with "close-to-my" diagnosis are doing.
I have only heard that Herceptin does best when given in combo with certain chemos.
I have had blurry vision with Herceptin. Still have neuropathy (left over from taxol?).
There is a msg board for that topic: Herceptin reactions. You should visit that board and see what problems others have had.
I have had 5 Herceptin-only treatments. My Muga went down to 58 last time. Hopefully it will stay steady.
I'll watch for future posts by you on this site.
Take care. Good luck!
Sadie :)

just bumping this up..

Dx: March 2006

Stage I
Grade 3
her2+++
er/pr-
node negative
4 rounds chemo-Ac completed July 20, 2006
started herceptin 3 weeks ago

Hi Sadie
It's been a while. I've still been wondering if the route I took i.e. using Herceptin with no chemo was a wise one given the Her2 +++.
I saw my med-onc yesterday and asked whether she had any patients taking Herceptin solo. She does not. (I chose this therapy with a different med-onc).
My present doctor feels there is a good rationale for taking this course of treatment.

I asked a lot of questions about testing PTEN13 and other factors that weight whether Herceptin is being effective. Seems these tests can only be used for existing tumors.
So far, I am tumor free, happy, leading my usual active life.

Mimima

Please refer to my signature for my info. Currently awaiting a PET scan to see if there is still cancer present in the liver as CT scans can no longer differentiate the cancer from scar tissue.

Dear Janet


You are having state of the art pathology and are beginning the next age of the future with getting Top IIA tested in order to pick chemo regimes. Three cheers for you. Keep us posted on how the report turns out and hence, your treatment plan.

Have a nice weekend

Becky

Dx 9/03 Stage III grade 3 ER/PR+, Her2neu+++, 3 cm tumor. Lumpectomy w/axillary disection 7 out of 11 nodes+. Did dose dense AC/Taxol, followed by radiation. Started on arimadex, but I couldn't stand how I felt on it, so I was switched to tamoxifen in 5/04. Mets to spine at L1 which caused a fracture. Treated w/radiation and started on zometa and Herceptin weekly for 3 months and have been every 3 wks herceptin and 6 wks zometa. I am thinking of coming off the Herceptin by the end of the year and just watch closely by doing frequent scans. Any thoughts on that? By the way, those who have been doing the vaccine trial in Washington, has anyone noticed increase appetite/weight gain? I have gained several pounds since starting this trial.